James Burke, a 55-year-old resident of Grayson, Kentucky, has pleaded guilty to embezzling funds from a labor union in Huntington, West Virginia. According to court records and statements presented in court, Burke served as the financial secretary of the union from July 2022 through October 2023.
During his tenure, Burke admitted to issuing nine unauthorized or altered checks made payable to himself. The total amount from these checks was $22,642.42. He also acknowledged withholding cash totaling $14,332.94 from checks that were supposed to be deposited for the labor organization. In addition, Burke diverted six dues checks worth $3,035.70 for his personal use.
Burke is scheduled for sentencing on May 26, 2026. He faces up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a possible fine of $250,000. Restitution owed by Burke totals $40,011.47. He may also be prohibited from holding any office in a labor organization for as long as 13 years.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced the plea and recognized the Department of Labor-Office of Labor-Management Standards for its investigation into the matter.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price and was heard before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
Additional information about this case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia and through PACER by searching Case No. 3:26-cr-5.
“The announcement commended the investigative work of the Department of Labor-Office of Labor-Management Standards.”
